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Myka Smith is overcome with emotion after she and other high school students were surprised by being awarded Daniels Fund Scholarships. In the background, Sara Newell wipes away tears after finding out that her son, Sawyer Newell, was also a recipient of the full ride scholarship. They were surprised with the honor during a ceremony at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum on Tuesday.
High school student Daniel Sandoval gets a tight hug from is parents, Maria Del Rosario Plascencia Lopez and Daniel Sandoval Lopez after finding out that he was the recipient of a Daniels Scholarship.He were surprised with the honor during a ceremony at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum on Tuesday. The Daniels Scholarship is a full ride scholarship put to $100,000.
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Myka Smith is overcome with emotion after she and other high school students were surprised by being awarded Daniels Fund Scholarships. In the background, Sara Newell wipes away tears after finding out that her son, Sawyer Newell, was also a recipient of the full ride scholarship. They were surprised with the honor during a ceremony at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum on Tuesday.
On April Fools’ Day, Colorado Springs students were surprised to learn they were all the latest recipients of the Daniels Fund Scholarship at what they thought was a leadership assembly held at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum. (Jahlysa Azaret, The Gazette)
It may have been April Fools’ Day, but a group of aspiring students were nonetheless surprised when they learned they were receiving full-ride scholarships at what they thought was a leadership assembly.
Featuring speeches by Mayor Yemi Mobolade and former Mayor John Suthers, 15 Colorado Springs students were surprised to learn they were all the latest recipients of the Daniels Fund Scholarship at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum.
Just before revealing the “prank,” Daniels Fund President and CEO Hanna Skandera told the students that the words of the two mayors were “100% true” about their accomplishments and potential.
“Each of you is an incredible student,” she said. “You’ve worked hard and, beyond being good students, you’ve shown character, a desire to use your gifts to give back to your schools and your community.”
Moments later, the room erupted into screams and tears of joy from students and parents alike.
The yearly scholarship awards students in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming with either full-cost or $100,000 scholarships for their choice of accredited school or university in the U.S.
Now in its 25th year, the fund added 25 recipients this year to celebrate the milestone for a total of 230 students this year and $275 million throughout its history. Of these students, 156 are from Colorado.
Big Sandy High School senior Myka Smith said the April Fools’ Day stunt was the only prank she got, and the first one she can say made her cry.
“Yeah, it was a pretty brutal prank, but I’m glad,” she said.
Smith, whose older sister also received the scholarship, said it relieves the burden of costs for students, families and small rural communities like hers who may not have afforded higher education otherwise.
“She is only 22 and she’s able to buy her car fully because of the Daniels (scholarship), and she got her medical degree completely debt-free, which you don’t hear very often,” she said. “So seeing that and her continuing into her postgrad school coming out with no debt is just really impactful and inspiring.”
Smith plans on attending University of Northern Colorado Greeley to earn an elementary education degree.
In addition to covering costs, the Daniels Fund also provides access to development, coaching and engagement opportunities to prepare them for the workforce upon earning their degrees.
High school student Daniel Sandoval gets a tight hug from is parents, Maria Del Rosario Plascencia Lopez and Daniel Sandoval Lopez after finding out that he was the recipient of a Daniels Scholarship.He were surprised with the honor during a ceremony at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum on Tuesday. The Daniels Scholarship is a full ride scholarship put to $100,000.
Sierra High School senior Daniel Sandoval said the scholarship will give him the chance to pursue his dream career.
Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Sandoval learned that he wanted to become a physician assistant after working with one at his school. His plan was originally to begin at Pikes Peak State College for two years through the D2 Promise Program, but said that the scholarship “changes everything,” and that he’ll now pursue either CU Boulder or CSU Fort Collins.
“All my hard work has paid off, for both me and my family financially,” he said.
Established by and named after cable television pioneer and professional sports team owner Bill Daniels, The Daniels Fund is a private charitable foundation dedicated to improving lives for people in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming through its grants, scholarships and ethics initiative.
On Daniels’ death in 2000, his $1 billion estate was transferred to the fund, making it one of the largest private charitable foundations in the region.
Suthers, also the chair of the foundation’s board of directors, said the scholarships both provide opportunities to those in need of them and give the next generation something to strive toward.
“People ask, ‘Are there any good stories about young men and women? Where are the great kids in our community?” he told the crowd. “Well, folks, they’re right here in this room today. They’re you.”
The application for the 2026 class of Daniels scholars opens in September.
The First Nations Promise Program announced Thursday is a last-dollar grant that will cover any/all expenses for members of all 574 federally recognized American Indian tribes who reside in El Paso, Teller, or Elbert counties.
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